Clarabel’s POV The stone corridors blurred around me as I stormed away from Malakai’s chambers. My heart hammered violently against my ribs, driven by a toxic mixture of white-hot fury and sickening disgust. Not with him but with myself. I wiped the back of my hand across my lips, rubbing so hard till the skin stung, desperately trying to erase the ghost of his mouth. I kissed him back. The realization felt like a sore throat. For a few lawless seconds, I had unraveled under his touch instead of tearing his throat out. Fool, I berated myself, my breathing ragged as I hurried down the dark hallway. Pathetic, weak fool. Images of my past flashed through my mind, mocking me. Years ago, Greenwood had used my compliance, twisting my naivety until I was nothing but a pawn to him. I had pro

